Leighton Baines scored the only goal of the game as Everton stumbled past MFK Ružomberok at Goodison Park on Thursday night.

The Slovakian side defended well and it took the hosts more than hour to break them down. Even then, Baines' effort only beat goalkeeper Matúš Macík thanks to a sizeable deflection.

Wayne Rooney made his competitive Everton debut for the second time in his career but, try as he might, could not add his name to the score sheet.

Ronald Koeman will be happy to see his side head into the second leg with a goal advantage but the performance will leave him in little doubt that there is still plenty of work to be done before the Premier League season begins.

Here are five things David Anderson learned.

Baines' shot took a large deflection (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Wayne Rooney vies with MFK Ruzomberok's Matej Kochan (Image: AFP)

1) Wayne Rooney doesn’t need the captain’s armband to show his authority

Ronald Koeman has stuck with Phil Jagielka as club captain, while Leighton Baines skippered the side against Ruzomberok. He rightly saw that he did not need to make Rooney skipper, despite him captaining England and Manchester United as recently as last season. He knew Rooney was mature enough to lead by example - and that is exactly what the striker did on his return to Goodison Park. He led the players into their pose for their pre-match picture and showed what is expected of them with his tireless running up front.

Everton's Rooney (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

2) Davy Klaassen showed his class

Klaassen was one of Ajax’s stand-out players during their run to last season’s Europa League Final and the Dutch playmaker demonstrated why Koeman paid £23.6million for him. Klaassen has a lovely touch and linked the play well, particularly with Rooney. He will give Everton’s midfield that creativity Koeman felt they were lacking last season and he carved out a great chance when he played a neat one-two with Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However his finish let him down as he shot into the side netting.

3) Everton have moved on from Ross Barkley

Barkley may still be an Everton player, but Koeman has already shut him out of his thoughts. He has kicked his last ball for the Blues as far as he is concerned because he refused the club’s offer of a new £110,000-a-week deal at the end of last season. Koeman feels he doesn’t need Barkley, despite being Everton’s most-creative player last season with eight assists. And with Klaassen playing so well in the No 10 role, Koeman feels he is being proved right. Evertonians seem to accept Koeman’s decision, even though they love Barkley because he is one of them. There was no fans’ campaign to keep Barkley and know he is part of the club’s past.

Ronald Koeman stands in front of one of the empty sections of stand (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

4) Everton were undercooked

This is the earliest Everton have ever played a competitive game in a season - and it showed against the Slovakian minnows of Ruzomberok. Ronald Koeman’s side had only played three pre-season friendlies before tonight’s Europa League qualifier, including one in Tanzania a fortnight ago and they were off the pace. By comparison, Ruzomberok have played four Europa League games to reach this stage, plus the opening game in the Slovak League. The visitors had more energy and came close to embarrassing Everton when Jan Maslo headed against the bar. Everton huffed and puffed up front and lacked a cutting edge.

Everton are a long way from their best (Image: Getty Images Europe)

5) Koeman needs a new goalscorer

Amidst the fanfare surrounding Wayne Rooney’s return to Goodison Park, Romelu Lukaku’s move in the opposite direction which largely unheralded on Merseyside. But replacing the prolific Lukaku’s goals is an issue for Koeman. Rooney played up top against Ruzomberok, but after his lean spell, he cannot be expected to come back and bang in 20 league goals. Nor is Spain Under-21 striker Sandro Ramirez, who came on for his debut, the answer. To be fair to Koeman, he knows this and wants a top-drawer striker before the window closes. His first choice is Olivier Giroud, but persuading him to come to Goodison when his preference if he leaves Arsenal is a return to France will be tricky. Koeman still has work to do.

PLAYER RATINGS

Stekelenburg 7 Little to do, but assured saves in both halves at important times.

Martina 6 Looks a little rusty in technique but took up some good positions.

Keane 7 Commanding on the ball and strong. Could be a fine buy.

Williams 6 Sturdy as always and, in truth, had little to do but bring out the ball.

Baines 7 Good work down the left and got his just reward when he scored.

Schneiderlin 6 Played the anchor role comfortably — more forward passes needed.

Gueye 6 Busy in his tackling, but perhaps could have played further forward.

Calvert-Lewin 6 Some very promising touches and showed good instinct in box.

Klaassen 7 Hard to judge on this first viewing, but he looks to possess real skill.

Mirallas 6 Always a handful, but could have been more of a threat in attack.

Rooney 8 Most influential player by a distance, held ball brilliantly all night. Man of the Match.